SCORECARD on "Chained CPI"/Social Security Cuts : an Update

[Faryn Balyncd]

Last edited Sun Dec 23, 2012, 06:20 AM - Edit history (4)

Here's the latest on who stands where "Chained CPI"/Social Security Cuts:

Who Opposes:

60% of all adults
57% of registered voters
68% of Democratic voters
54% of Republican voters
56% of Independents
65% of liberals
57% of moderates
58% of conservatives
102 House Democrats
the House Progressive Caucus
Rep. Peter DeFazio
Rep. Barbara Lee
Rep. Keith Ellison
returning Congressman Alan Grayson
the AFL-CIO
the AARP
MoveOn.org
Disabled American Veterans



Who Supports:

the White House
Democratic House Leader Nancy Pelosi
Democratic "policy shop" Third Way
Third Way founder Jon Cowan, a supporter of Social Security privatization



Who Is on the Sidelines Goading Democrats to Pass & Own It:

You Guessed it

Addendum:

Here is MoveOn's page on where individual Senators stand:
http://pol.moveon.org/fiscal-showdown-whip/index.html




Edited to update links: As the original posted link to the Washington Post-ABC December poll question has become non-functional since original posting, the post links have been edited to provide an active link (in which all adults, registered voters, Democrats, Republicans, independents, liberals, moderates, and conservatives were polled on the question "In order to strike a budget deal, would you accept Changing the way Social Security benefits are calculated so that benefits increase at a slower rate than they do now or is this something you would find unacceptable?" http://www.washingtonpost.com/page/2010-2019/WashingtonPost/2012/12/18/National-Politics/Polling/question_9557.xml?uuid=pDcguEkKEeKK-ZtQy0YFpw )

[senseandsensibility]

1. Keeping it real, F and B, as always.

I would expect no less.

[MannyGoldstein]

2. "Rep. Conyers: Obama Demanded Social Security Cuts--Not GOP"

From last year's fully-fake debt limit shock doctrine-o-rama:

Rep. Conyers: Obama Demanded Social Security Cuts--Not GOP
"We've got to educate the American people at the same time we educate the President of the United States. The Republicans, Speaker Boehner or Majority Leader Cantor DID NOT call for Social Security cuts in the budget deal. THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES CALLED FOR THAT," declared US Representative John Conyers in a press conference held by members of the House "Out of Poverty' Caucus on 07/27/11."

[customerserviceguy]

3. I believe it for some of the groups you mention

but for conservatives and Republicans especially, it's the wording of the question that caused their answer. Once you explain that it's a cut in the RISE in Social Security benefits (and I expect Limpballs, etc. to do just that) they'll be more in favor of it.

I've seen plenty of numbers flung around as to what this will "cost" seniors, and while they are all wild-ass guesses, I think logically, we can recognize one thing:

If inflation is very low or non-existant, then the difference between regular COLA and chained COLA is low. If inflation is high, then that difference is high. But what would produce an inflation that would exacerbate that difference? A healthy, even rip-roaring economy. A stagnant economy with high unemployment and large annual deficits would produce the low difference.

Which of those two economies is healthier for Social Security in the long run?

[Faryn Balyncd]

6. Here's the exact wording of the question:

"In order to strike a budget deal, would you accept Changing the way Social Security benefits are calculated so that benefits increase at a slower rate than they do now or is this something you would find unacceptable?"


With Americans across the board showing a 60% to 34% rejection, including majorities not only of self-identified Democrats and liberals, but of self-identified Republicans, independents, moderates, and conservatives, it seems clear why Boehner & Co insist that DEMOCRATS propose (& own) any "chained CPI" cut.

And as you point out, the effect of "chained CPI" is likely to be much greater if inflation heats up.

[99Forever]

4. So, basically...

.. it's the usual suspects.







Whodda thunk it?




Thanks F&B

[JDPriestly]

5. Obama has worked against older people since he took office.

He is simply not on our side even though in my area a lot of older people made calls, registered voters and worked for Obama. Our local Obama headquarters was run by retirees.

[JoePhilly]

8. And that's why ObamaCare has Death Panels.

Once the death panels kill enough old people, Social Security and Medicare will be solvent forever.

[Faryn Balyncd]

7. links updated